Wynonna Judd Honored at Country Music Hall of Fame

Wynonna Judd was honored at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday night (Sept. 8), and she used her time onstage to pass on some words of wisdom to aspiring artists.

Introduction

Wynonna Judd, one of country music’s most successful solo artists, was honored at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on March 6. The evening was hosted by Judd’s close friend Naomi Judd, and featured a special performance by Wynonna of “I Will Always Love You,” made famous by Whitney Houston.

Wynonna Judd’s Career

Wynonna Ellen Judd is an American country music singer. Her solo career began in 1983 with the release of her self-titled debut album, which spawned five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Singles chart. She signed with MCA Nashville Records in 1991 and released her second album, Tell Me Why.

Early Life and Career

Wynonna Ellen Judd was born on May 30, 1964, in Ashland, Kentucky. Her parents divorced when she was a youngster, and Wynonna and her sister Naomi were raised by their mother. country singer Naomi Judd. At an early age, Wynonna showed an interest in music and began singing with her mother and sister at local clubs and talent contests. In 1979 the Judds were signed to a recording contract with RCA Records. The following year they released their first album, Wynonna Judd—it went gold within two months.

The Judds went on to release seven more albums between 1983 and 1991. All of them went platinum or multi-platinum, and five topped Billboard’s country charts. The duo also won five Grammy Awards during this time. In 1991 Naomi Judd retired from performing due to health problems, and Wynonna embarked on a successful solo career. She released her first solo album, Wynonna, in 1992; it went quadruple platinum and spawned several hit singles, including “She Is His Only Need” and “No One Else on Earth.”

Breakthrough with “Mama He’s Crazy”

In 1985, Wynonna Judd formed The Judds with her mother, Naomi Judd. The duo signed with RCA Records and released their debut album, Wynonna & Naomi, in 1983. The album’s first single, “Had a Dream (For the Heart),” was a Top Ten hit on the country charts.

The Judds’ second album, Why Not Me, produced their breakthrough hit, “Mama He’s Crazy.” The song became their first Number One single on the country charts and helped the album earn platinum certification. “Why Not Me” won the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and helped propel The Judds to superstardom.

During the next few years, The Judds released a string of successful albums and singles, including such Number One hits as “Love Is Alive,” “Give a Little Love,” and “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain.” In 1991, they were named Entertainer of the Year at both the Country Music Association Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Later Career and Success

In the 2000s, Judd continued to tour successfully and sporadically released new albums. In 2003, she appeared on CMT’s reality television series Gone Country. The following year, Judd released What the World Needs Now Is Love, her first album of gospel music. In 2007, she was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

In 2010, Judd’s Stampede of Dreams Tour included more than 100 dates across the U.S., Canada and Europe. That same year, Wynonna teamed with her mother Naomi to release their first-ever duets album Sing: Chapter 1. The album peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and featured the hit single “Had Enough.” It was followed by another duets album, Sing: Chapter 2, in 2011.

Judd’s most recent solo album is 2014’s Wynonna & The Big Noise. The album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 11 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. It features collaborations with T Bone Burnett, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi among others.

Wynonna Judd Honored at Country Music Hall of Fame

Wynonna Judd was honored at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Thursday night (Oct. 12). The Judds were inducted into the Hall in 1991, and Wynonna Judd was given the honor of solo artist. “I am truly humbled,” Wynonna said upon receiving the honor. “This is an incredible honor.”

The Event

The event was held at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. The event honored Wynonna Judd for her contributions to country music.

What People are Saying

“I’m just really humbled and very grateful,” Judd said after her name was added to the Country Music Hall of Fame Walk of Fame. “I love what I do, and it’s been my honor to try and do it the best that I could.”

Judd is the first female artist in country music history to be inducted into the walk of fame, and she joins an elite group of country music greats who have been similarly honored.

“It’s just so amazing to be in the same sentence with people like Loretta Lynn and George Strait,” Judd said. “Just being mentioned with them is such an honor.”

Many of Judd’s fellow country music stars took to social media to congratulate her on the honor.

“So proud of my friend Wynonna!” tweeted Dolly Parton. “She truly deserves this recognition!”

“Congratulations to a living legend,” wrote Brad Paisley. “Wynonna is one of the greatest singers in any genre, period.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, we are proud to honor Wynonna Judd as the newest inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Her contributions to the genre are truly unparalleled, and she has inspired generations of country music fans. Thank you, Wynonna, for everything.